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Community Corner

🌱 Winter Storm Updates + Austin Opera's 2023-24 Plans

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Austin.

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Jessica Collins, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Good morning, everyone! Wow, what a week it's been in Austin. I hope this note finds you all safe and warm. I'm back in your inbox with a rundown of the most important community updates and local news.

Settle in while we cover:

  • 51% of the statewide power outages were in the Austin Energy service area.
  • Local blood bank is in dire need of donations.
  • Limited Capital Metro services will resume today.
  • Austin Opera has some surprises in store for its 2023-2024 season.
  • Keep scrolling to learn more about school and college campus closures today.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a shower; not as cold. High: 41 Low: 33.

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Here are the top stories in Austin today:

1) Over 170,000 Austin households were without power Wednesday as the winter storm brought down power lines. It's also worth noting that the power outages have nothing to do with the state's power grid. Freezing rain and ice brought down tree limbs, utility poles and power lines across the city. KUT has more on this story here.

PS: If you're wondering why the city still has above-ground power lines, check out this piece from KXAN: "Why don't we just bury the power lines to stop winter outages?"

2) Local blood bank reports that the winter storm created an emergency need for blood and platelets. We Are Blood, a blood bank organization that serves more than 40 hospitals and medical facilities in the area, told KXAN it needs to receive "an average of at least 200 blood donations on an average day in order to maintain an adequate blood supply." Learn more about the blood shortage and how you can donate here at KXAN.

3) Capital Metro will resume limited transportation services at 10 a.m. today. Bus services, Pickup, CapMetro Access and MetroBike should all resume service at 10 a.m. CapMetro tells CBS Austin that "more buses and increased frequency service should begin by noon." MetroRail will not resume operations until Friday. CBS Austin has more here.

4) Local schools, colleges and universities extend campus closures through today:

Today in Austin:

  • Flogging Molly at ACL Live At The Moody Theater. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Rebirth Brass Band with Henri Herbert at 3Ten. (7 p.m.)
  • ZACH Theatre & Deaf Austin Theatre Present: Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella at ZACH Theatre. (7:30 PM)
  • Filigree Theatre Presents: Fire In Dreamland at Factory On 5th (8 p.m.)
  • The Wheel Workers at Mohawk Indoors. (8 p.m.)

Neighbors: please double-check that the above events have not been canceled due to inclement weather before attending and please travel with caution.

Community Chatter:

  • 🥗 New restaurant alert: "Highly anticipated restaurant and bar from San Antonio chef now open at new downtown Austin hotel" (CultureMap Austin)
  • 💝 Valentine's Day is on the horizon: Tribeza has a guide for "where to eat, play and stay in Austin on Valentine's Day." (Tribeza)
  • 🎙 What to know about Austin Opera's next season: "Austin Opera just released its plans for the 2023-2024 season. They include a new staging of "Cruzar la Cara de la Luna," the world's first mariachi opera, as well as a novel residency for a Hispanic opera-writing team." (The Austin American-Statesman)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— Jessica Collins

About me: Jessica is happy to call Austin her home for the past 10+ years. She loves the outdoors, arts & cinema, dining, and all of the natural beauty that Central Texas has to offer.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Austin Daily? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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